News
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Australia weights in on Chinese boats’ intrusion
Australia on Wednesday joined the United States and Japan in expressing concern over Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea after Manila protested the presence of more than 200 Chinese vessels moored near the Julian Felipe Reef, which is inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. “We remain concerned about destabilizing actions that could provoke escalation,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines…
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Australia, Japan join calls vs ‘destabilizing actions’ in South China Sea
The two countries are the latest to speak out after the Philippines raised concern over the continued presence of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea Australia and Japan are the latest to express concern over “destabilizing actions” that could raise tensions in the highly volatile South China Sea, as a number of Chinese vessels continued to linger near Julian…
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Unrequited love
In April 2018, President Duterte declared, “I just simply love Xi Jinping.” President Duterte made this declaration in a press conference in Davao City just before he left for China to attend the Boao Forum for Asia. Unfortunately for President Duterte, and more so for the Filipino people, this public expression of love has been unrequited. President Xi has described…
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PH installs more sovereign markers on northern islands
MANILA – The Philippine military on Wednesday installed markers on two islands north of Cagayan to assert sovereignty in the country’s maritime territory. The Northern Luzon Command, in a statement, said it placed sovereign markers at Mabaag and Barit Islands in Aparri, Cagayan in addition to the 11 markers installed last year in uninhabited islands north of the province…
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House bill to reinforce PH sea zone
The leadership of the House of Representatives was urged Wednesday to pass a bill defining the country’s maritime areas and territory for China to take notice of such delineation. This coincided with a report that a firm based in Florida, USA, conducting satellite imagery analysis had published a report this February showing what appeared to be movement and structural changes…
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By number, China now has world’s largest navy — report
MANILA, Philippines — In terms of ships deployed at sea, China’s navy has overtaken the United States, making it the world’s largest, according to a report. Andrew Erickson, a professor at the China Maritime Studies Institute at the US Naval War College, wrote that China fielded more battle force ships than the US Navy sometime between 2015 and 2020. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/02/18/2078650/number-china-now-has-worlds-largest-navy-report
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China construction continues on reef inside PH EEZ, satellite images show
MANILA, Philippines—China continues construction on one of its occupied features in the West Philippine Sea, satellite images showed. US-based tech firm Simularity’s South China Sea Rapid Alert Service on Tuesday (Feb. 16) released images of Panganiban (Mischief) Reef showing new developments since late 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Simularity identified changes in seven sites on Panganiban Reef. Images taken of…
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Guided-missile destroyer Russell conducts FONOP in South China Sea by Spratly Islands
The guided-missile destroyer Russell completed a freedom of navigation operation in the South China Sea by the Spratly Islands on Wednesday. China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines claim either all or some sovereignty of the Spratly Islands — and China, Vietnam and Taiwan all demand those participating in “innocent passage” through the territorial sea receive approval or provide…
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Why China Is Falling Out With Australia (and Allies)
China and Australia have become embroiled in a deepening political spat that is spilling over into trade. Even with some Chinese cities suffering power blackouts in December, the Beijing authorities continued to block coal shipments from Australia, underlining their determination. Miners aren’t the only exporters Down Under finding it harder to access their biggest market as tensions ramp up, nor…
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PH backs China’s proposal to upgrade ASEAN relations
MANILA — The Philippines has made the case for China’s proposal to elevate its dialogue relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. made the pitch during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat on Thursday. This would make China’s dialogue relations to the ASEAN from strategic partnership to comprehensive strategic partnership. “All these should…
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China authorises coast guard to fire on foreign vessels if needed
China has passed a law that for the first time explicitly allows its coast guard to fire on foreign vessels, a move that could make the contested South China Sea and nearby waters more choppy. China has maritime sovereignty disputes with Japan in the East China Sea and with several Southeast Asian countries in the South China Sea. It has…
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Japan Becomes Latest Nation to Contest Beijing’s Claims in the South China Sea
Japan has joined a growing list of countries that are challenging China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea. On Tuesday, Japan presented a one-page diplomatic note to the United Nations rejecting China’s baseline claims and denouncing its efforts to limit the freedom of navigation and overflight. Japan’s note is the latest in series of recent criticisms of China’s position,…